Michael Green III taking advantage of the opportunity given to him

Before Michael Green III transferred to Robert Morris, he spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career at Bryant where he racked up accolades during his time with Bulldogs.

He was named Northeast Conference rookie of the year in the 2020 season, 2020 All-NEC Rookie team and 2021 All-NEC second team.

Green played both on the ball and off the ball as a point guard for Bryant and did more of the same at the beginning of the season with the Colonials, known as a great tempo and offensive controller.

When the opportunity presented itself over the past couple of games to command the offense, Green took advantage of it.

After the team’s game against Purdue Fort Wayne, Green talked about his comfortability being that lead guard.

“I’m as comfortable as ever. I was the same way at Bryant and I am used to it by now.”

On Sunday’s game against Purdue Fort Wayne, Green broke out and had the best game of his career as a Colonial, posting 20 points on 7-9 shooting, including an effective 3-4 from three-point land.

Green discussed what was working for him and how he found so much success against the Mastodons.

“I felt like I was more aggressive… I was looking for my shot, playing within the offense and getting the right looks.”

Head Coach Andy Toole also talked about Green’s performance and how he has improved throughout the season.

“We wanted Mike to be aggressive and he’s been a guy to score points over the course of his college career and we want to make sure that he keeps us organized and getting the ball to the right places but we like that aggressiveness,” Toole said. “We have always promoted an offense where if it’s your opportunity to step in and take a shot, and it’s a shot that you make at a high percentage and you’re open, shoot it, and if the defense comes, move it.”

Toole was impressed with the aggressiveness he showed against the Mastodons, and he hopes that it continues as the team gets into the middle portion of their conference schedule.

“I thought that he had his opportunities tonight and I thought he was aggressive,” Toole said. “He has to take on some of that scoring load, that playmaking load, and the defensive load, and it’s a lot but that’s what we need from him.”

RMU currently sits at 2-13 and 0-6 in Horizon League play this season. Over this past week, the Colonials have played in some tight games. Green noted the optimism following the team’s fight over the past several games.

“It is deflating [to lose close games], but we know that we are good enough to win this league and win the league,” Green said. “We’ve just got to keep building every day, and that starts from practice and good habits.”

The team returns to the court on January 13 as they take on Wright State at 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised locally on 22 The Point and ESPN+.